Dhaka, December 13: A significant development has emerged in the investigation into the shooting of Dhaka-8 independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi. According to a report by The Dissent, evidence strongly suggests that the individual who shot Hadi from the back of a motorcycle is a man named Faisal Karim Masud, alias Daud Khan, who was a former leader of the Adabar Thana Chhatra League.
The identification was made after an extensive analysis of multiple sources, including:
- CCTV footage from the Inkilab Cultural Center dated December 9.
- CCTV footage of the attack on December 12, reportedly collected by the police.
- Over 50 images published in various media outlets and posted on social media accounts, including a Facebook/Instagram profile under the name Faisal Karim Masud, as well as several pro-Awami League pages and personal profiles.
Key Evidence: Face Match and Distinctive Watch
The analysis indicated a match between the facial features of the shooter seen in the CCTV footage and those of Faisal Karim Masud. This finding was further corroborated by comparative verification using two different face detection applications on multiple photographs of Faisal Karim.
Crucially, the report highlights a distinctive designer watch worn on the left wrist of the shooter in the CCTV footage. Multiple pictures found on Faisal Karim Masud’s Instagram and Facebook profiles show him wearing an identical watch, strongly linking him to the attack.
Suspect’s History Includes Prior Arrest
The report also recalls prior news coverage from November 2024, where Faisal Karim Masud was identified with his photo in major media outlets. He was arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) as the prime accused in a case involving armed robbery and the looting of 17 lakh Taka from an office in the Adabar area of Mohammadpur, Dhaka. The Dissent noted that no subsequent news reports were found detailing the circumstances of his release from custody following that arrest.
The new findings have escalated concerns regarding the safety of political candidates and are likely to intensify pressure on law enforcement agencies to apprehend the suspect and ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.
